Vacuum sealing machine



May 2, 1950 J. HOHL ET Al. 2,506,363

VACUUM SEALING MACHINE a@ @pg y www# J. HOHL ET AL VACUUM SEALING MACHINE May 2, 195o 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 1l, 1945 May 2, 1950 J. HQHL ET AL 2,506,363

VACUUM SEALING MACHINE Filed Jan. 11, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 99 j K '101 36 g5 37 98 33M;

GMM/141114.

Patented May 2, 1950 l-51 Claims. 21

Our invention relates to maohineslfor'vacuum- -'izing and sea-lingarssandlother;.containerstand is tembonzlie'd y"inf'a machineeofthe typelcomprising "meansffor-tlrawing aipartialfvacuum in thezcon- 'taners, after fthe'y` have :been iirlled Ywith rafood products for other f-commo'd'tes, `:and r:1i-,hereafter positioning and f'tighteningsthe -closure :devices l*or `lcaps "for sealing -the fcontainers. .-The.: inven- "tonfin''its 'preferred-iform'isfembodiedl incarna- 1chine` comprising-sealingunits lor heads, eaohviny oldingfvacuum-izing-and-cap'tightening means, mounted-oma'carriagefrotatable about `aivertical Laxis, fthe `V'machine valso comprising vertically movablesuppointsf on which' the containersfwth "the-naps -re's'ting'loosely thereon, @are :placed and irby--vvhich'the-` contz'afiners-are liftedE into 5operative relation`V tolthe sealing: units.

--An object Aoffonr invention` is '1to1 provide novel arid practical meansfor preventing the operation "of a=sealing head orfopeningf ofi' the suctionV line f thereto v'When accontain'erf islmissing ifromfsuch i`head.

"A' furthenbbj ect "isf to 'prevent' the opening/sof *a'fvalve-*forapilyingl suction'lv'vhenf a closure cap `visf-missing. "More'vparticularly-fan; objectfoffme J"inventionlis to providea detector-'Which indicates fthebpresence (at Lor=-1auseneeifrom =af-sealing'f head, Hof -a con-tainerforha *closurei'capfthereforaid Lva-Ive"cnfxeans underfthe'" control of :such detector *for controllingthe'f application lof suction viithin,

-'A furtherfobjectofithe;invention'istol provide l'a'novel *form-off chuck'ifor lifting ya cap `from^a f lcontainer a'rdchcrlding iti in open "position 'with respect'to the containeriduring thevacuumi'zirgg of the latter and thereafter apply-ing theccapffto i'the container and thereby Iflsealing f the v-contemer.

"A "further'fobject -lof thei invention' istocfprovde; in'fannachneof thecharactery indicated'a vmagnetic'"chuclrforliftingmrid holding a 'cap *duif'ing thewacumizingofa container andwhile applying thecap to thercontainer.

vv'Other objects-of our :invention ALwill appear TAhereinafter.

Referring-to the laoc'on'naamfingdraWings-Which Ifillulstratefammachinel embodying cour; invention:

Fig. 1 is a sectionllevationf-6`fthemaohine,

12 :"Eg. :2 -is 31a sectional plan View @with 4fr parts :broken away, -the .section ;beingatfthe:y1ine 2fj-2 on Fig. 1.

Fig risatafronteelevationwithnparts in'sec- 5 in'onof; sealing head for nmit.

:Egxlmseaz'sectionalf: elevationfsof-z; thezsamez the section ,xbeingriniamlanerradial to" the :machine A Fgn-,issa sectional elevation omai-larger .scale sofizthezupper portion` of iias-sealingifnnit, lfshowng l10 fparticnlarly t the s suction @control ova/ive for said 1F-ig.`v 6 :is 'ea' fragmentaryafsectionak elevation of f thecmajortportion ofezafseal-ingf-unitbeing:com- -.plem'enfta-l ',tos Eig. A5.

1Fgx7sis-,ae-part sectional elevation .sofz Aafstaan-11g ennitrrwithzthe:chuckoloweredfiand afjar liftedavfto :bringthercap:.thereoninto engagement Withgthe .schut-1k.

Figs; 8i is :faifragmentary :fsectional Yview-on ca. 201;comparativelyilarge:scale;oaa'fsealingfheadf --,th 'it-lie chuckdoweredcinto-engagement Withf-aytilteod 'cap;:as1the jaromovesmpward.

Eig Y .fh-'isla similamfiemshowingxthe jar liftedto y:isealthefvacnurnchamber'andthe'cap Withdrawn, 425..:perinittin-g thm-jar @to be'fvacuumized.

3Eig.21f0;is .acsectional 1elevationfofcaJ .-"lten .tfBeferring i-Lto Fig. z 1, @the :.fmachine-zrarnework comprisesa a;-crcnlar baseiincludingf a 'lower Lseef .tion l I yandean.uppercsectionj' l2 fbolted thereto 30-a-rrdrformed lvsfithza@centralihub lrl3fin .whichsa ffoenter :post C i4 eiszsupported. Vacu nmzingf;,and -sea:1ingtuxntstl5 .forheads,. are arranged insxan "annulanseries andk snpportedaon:aicarriage-.Whch isfmountdffor rotation aboutlthe center :column lill. `fher carriage Lin'cfludesfI af tubular shaft l6-snr rounding the #col-umn and* formed at fits flower end with a. flange Il to which is bolted fa--plat-y form :18. .'Iher'carriagvalso includes `an upper 40; platform 19, formed with" av hub"L 2 ll'fandl mounted .'for upand-down .adjustment on"theshaft 1^1B. 'Meansfor .s.upportinglthe platform 'l 9 Aand Yad- Justingcit umandldown includes` ai, bearing .ring 22:2 I threaded fon theA shaft I wand connected to 45athefl1ubf20 ebyfa f aliangethL collar i 22. locking screw 23ssecures the :parts inzadj usted position. xThezplatform 19 istfformed twitlrrintegralrecessed :forecupz-shaped; holdingcsectionsfz24findividual1to zt/121e sealingmnitscand .by Whichssaid units 4@fare 50.-?supponte`d @adjustable z. up @and cdown' v-zwith through the following ,includes a bifurcated the platform to accommodate the machine to containers of different heights.

The containers 25 are herein shown and referred to as jars, and the invention will be herein described as used for vacuumizing and sealing such jars when packed, for example, with coffee in granulated or powdered form. The invention, however, is not limited to this particular use or to this type of container.

Pedestals 21, each including a platform 26, provide supports for the jars 25, each pedestal being mounted for up-and-down movement in a bearing sleeve 28 secured to the underside of the platform i8. The pedestals are arranged directly beneath and in vertical alignment with the sealing units i5. The pedestals are supported on a stationary circular cam track Se mounted on the machine base and surrounding the section i2 thereof.

The carriage is rotated continuously as by means of an electric motor having driving connections therewith through a train of gearing including a ring gear 3i bolted to the platform IS. The driving mechanism and also the parts thus far detailed by reference numerals may be he same as the corresponding parts disclosed in the patent to Hohl et al., No. 2,338,852, January 1l, 1944, Vacuum sealing machine.

The sealing units i5 are all of the same construction. Referring to Figs. 3 to 6, each unit comprises a vacuum bell 33 providing a vacuum chamber 34. The bell is formed with a tubular hub 35 which extends upwardly through an opening in the holder 24, the bell being clamped to the underside of said holder by a nut 35a threaded on the hub.

A chuck in the form of a plate 31 is mounted for up-and-down movement within the vacuum chamber and serves to hold a jar cap during the vacuumizing of the jar, and then serves as a pusher plate to force the cap downward into sealing engagement with the jar, as fully described hereinafter. The chuck includes gripping means for holding the caps C. Such means, as herein shown, comprises magnets 36 seated in recesses in the lower face of the chuck. The magnets are preferably in the form of disks arranged in a circle. The chuck is connected to the lower end f a vertical spindle 38 which extends through the hub 35 and is movable up and down therein. The connection between the "chuck 31 and spindle includes a ball swivel member 3Q having a shank 4l] threaded into a bore in the spindle. The member 39 has a free connection with the chuck permitting tilting movement of the latterv in any direction so that it may accommodate itself to a closure cap supported in an inclined position as hereinafter def scribed. The chuck 31 is also free for a limited movement relative to the spindle slight variations in the height of lip-and-down to adapt it to the jars. K

Means for moving the .chucks up and down periodically as the carriage rotates, includes two stationary. cams di andl 42 (Fig. 2) operating mechanism. Each unit lever i4 connected by a pivot 45 to a standard d mounted on the table ld. The lever carries a cam follower roll 41 which runs on thecams. Links 'i9 connect the lever dit to a yoke which is slidable up and down on the spindle 38. The yoke is normally held by a compression spring 5I, against a nut 52 threaded on the spindle. The spring 5| is held under compression between the yoke 50 and a nut 53 threaded on the spindle. The nut 53 is adjustable up and down on the spindle for adjusting the compression of the spring and is held in adjusted position by a set screw 511 (Fig. 6) A bushing 55 and packing gland 56 are positioned within the hub 35. An oil seal 51, mounted in the cap 58 of the packing gland, prevents oil from entering and destroying the packing.

The vacuum system by which the jars are vacuumized, includes a pair of vacuum pipes $0 and 6i (Fig. 1) attached to a connector 62 at the top of the machine. The pipes open into vertical channels 63 which extend downward through a post 64 fixed to and forming an extension of the center column I4. Said post and column are secured together by a rod 66a. The channels 63 open into discharging chambers 65 and 9G respectively, said chambers being formed in a stationary distributing head 61 surrounding the post 6d. Each of the chambers 65 and 66, as shown in Fig. 2, extends circumferentially of the post 6d through a limited arc. Channels 5d radiate from the said chambers and communicate with vertical channels or ports 69 which extend downwardly therefrom through the distributor head G1.

A rotary plate 10 directly beneath and bearing against the distributor head 61, is connected by pins 1i to the upper end of the rotating carriage shaft I6 and is held up to the stationary distributing head 61 by springs 1l. Port openings 12 individual to the vacuumiaing heads, extend through the plate 1li. Each said port 12 is brought into register with the restricted channels 59 in succession as the carriage rotates for effecting a gradual drawing of the vacuum in the containers as hereinafter described.

A stationary cam ring 13 on which the cams dl and .d2 are mounted, is supported on rolls 13a (Fig. 4) journaled on blocks 13b on the rotary platform I9. Posts 14 attached to the ring 13 extend upward through bearing sleeves formed on a stationary head 15 on the post 64. The cam ring is thus held against rotation but is adjustable up and down with the platform I9.

Vacuum lines individual to the sealing units, include hose pipes 16 attached to the plate 10 and opening into the ports 12. The pipes 1G extend to valve bodies 11 mounted on the upper ends of the chuck spindles 38. Each said valve body has a cylindrical opening 18 (Fig. 5) extending vertically therethrough in line with the spindle 38 and forming a valve chamber in which a cylinder valve 19 is mounted for up-and-down movement. The valve when lifted, opens the vacuum line which includes the pipe 1B, a pipe 89 extending from the opposite side of the valve body 11 to a lter 8|, and a pipe 82 extending from the lter to the vacuum chamber. When the valve 19 is lowered, it closes the port openings to the pipes 16 and 80.

The valve 19 is attached to the upper end of a valve stem or rod 84 which extends downward through a central bore in the spindle 38 and connector 39. The lower end portion 35 of the valve stem is of reduced diameter and extends through a bushing 96 in the ballconnector 39 to provide a vacuum seal preventing leakage of air through the spindle 38. The rod 85 protrudes below the pusher plate 31 into position to be engaged by a jar cap and moved upwardly thereby for opening the valve 19 when a jar is lifted into position to be vacuuxnized.

The means for connecting the valve 19 with the stem 84 (Fig. lincludes a ring 81. secured to the sitesites mung in tnetadfannie nig an extension hroug Y tfBadiimits-thei pvard -z eznentifthe spindle. lA "oil stringi mounted on the post 93 and-fislildiliinder ornr'ssin f'betweehthe valve lbody TI d -the standard (46. The' 'spring' 'serves Lto` liittheifvlve body and itsspielej 'nnre'leased rfrm the eent'rol fofthe' cams'byf' hiohit is lovie'red.

ringlgasketf (F-ig) ofrubbr "composition 'r the flikepfinbvidesfaiseslbetween tnevacuuin bell: 33 f arid fa jarv` 2 5 j fhiletnelatter' is' 'being vacuumized. This gasket is `cletrr'lnedf positi'n'fby 'acla'rnping ringf threaded-on the leiter endof fther'bell33. Av 'r-ing Iihvingi'a'n :inner 'downwardly'tapered Wall (srf'oe Y' 'i I 'is' clamped between the' gsketarid the v'lower'-feteofthevacunmV bell. f A'g'a'sket I ilZlprovid'es a'fseal between the ring 'I iiand'f the s'aid'bell. :The'lter vv81 (Fig. 10)' serves'to screen out any particles "orgranules iof 'coffee or fother mteial which mayffbe drawn bysuotion fro'mthe container Aduring f the va'cuumizing! process, *thereby preventing such imaterial -from 'i being drawn through the suction lines beyond 'the "Screen, The "lterincludes a cylindrical-screen'105 at- .tache'd to a; 'connector EGE' threaded 'onf the p'ipe '82. An outer 'casing' i0 'i fencloses'the screen"y and is :clamped tothe connectorbya clamping ring I U3, permitting removal fand emptying of the screen. Y

The jars; 25 are 1 conveyedftoy the-machine onda. traveling belt conveyor II il (Fig: 2) 'andY are `transferred to; the'machine-by-a star Wheel II #which positions them oni the 4platforms'A 2S. #After the f iars lare vacuumized Aand sealed, they -rare i returned to-'the conveyor i-l (i byga. ster Wheel I I2.

'They cam 4! 1 Figs 2, 4,- and 7)"byfwhich-:the chuck is -lowered forlv picking -up aman-is spring- 1oaded,permittingitto yield -under pressure of the cam follower roll if the chuckis forced'vup- Wardly,'f or examplei-by a jar above the standard '60 height. 'Ijhe osrn'jis connected by 'a/pfivot I|51to nvbloc-kfy IIS inounted'oncamring 'l3. yA coil spring IKI'I isconneoted atits opposite )ends` to-a p t llilnndI the cam ill thespringbeingunder chdkf-and its spindleA tol be duioklyglfifted by the spring SVtoilthe '-pdsitionshown in`fFig 9"Whi1e the 4jdr' is completing 'its Y upward mover'iieritinto sealing eng-agementwith the gasket "98. "The cap' Cy is thus spacedi'abovethe- 'jrf aishort distance, as forex'amnle'fo'ne eighthuorfohe fourth 'of an inch, permitting a'freei'escfpe'-ofiairfrom the jar vwhen theair is exhausted from thelivo- 'umn chamber 54.

The ball and socket connection-between the chuckfand 'its spindle permits the chuckto adjust itself to the "cafpfwhenfthe'latter is inf a; tilted positionk onthejar. l'Thejair isretainedfinfits lifted position (Fig."9)' by' the-r stationary oam'fS duringthe vacuumizingvoperation. the' seaiing 'unitadvanoes thevacuum' pipe'leadi-ng therefrom is brought finto rgisteriw'ithfthe ports 69 in thej distributing head; thereby opening the pipe -to the vacuum distributing lch'tmiber '$6'. These portsfaresmall enougl'ito restrict the'flow of vsiii therethrougnso that the vacuum produced -in the suctionvchamberis :'builtup gradually, thereby preventing the contents y'of-the' YjdrV from being drawn outby suction. The Iports-69 =.may begraduaitedY in size. Y

After the sealing -unit has passed Ibeyondi-the range of the vacuum chamber 66, from which l'nir -is exhausted throughthepipe- Bfitiis brought Within the range of the vacuum chamber 765 which may vbevzieuumized toahigherde'gree through the-suction-pipe SI toiproduoe Va Afinal high degreeof vacuum Within thejar. rWhen the jaris vacuumized, the chuckbr-pressure'plate 31 is lowered `to vforcee-cap into sealing engagement with the'fiar. -Thiseloweringis effected'by the can; -42 operating` through the Vlever i4-and spring 5 l. soon las the can =is-thus sealed to the jar, Ythe vacuum sealing l'iimber 1ine`-is opened to atmospheric pressure through a port 69a (Fig. 2)., lThe vpusherplatetT-'Lis *then given an additional A downwardinoveinent by a yhigh portionlZa of'the camliZ. This-serves as@y positive means for gdisoonifiectingthe.jar from the sealing gasket S8. Ijhe carriT Suis' shaped to permit this lowering ofthe jar and-its supporting pedestal, and thena-continued downwardmovenient of thefp'edestal lseparates the jar from the chuck. 'They-jarA iS-then-tranSferred bythestar Wheel I-I 2 to theconveyor lf! Il.

Modicationsv-may 'bef-resorted towithin 'the spirit ondscope of ouruinvention.

We claim; l

`1. A vacuu'in Ysettling.'mschine comprising-.2.

tal upward and thereby bringing the container into sealing engagement with said bell, a magnetic chuck movable up and down within said bell, means for lowering the chuck and causing it to grip a closure cap seated loosely on the container and lift said cap away from the container, suction means for exhausting air from the said bell and container, a detector comprising a rod movable with the chuck and also movable relatively to the chuck, said rod being positioned to be engaged by a said cap on the container as the chuck is lowered, and a valve operatively connected to said rod and controlling the application of suction to said bell and container.

2. A vacuumizing and sealing machine comprising a downwardly opening bell providing a vacuum chamber, a pedestal beneath said bell, means for lifting and lowering the pedestal and thereby lifting and lowering a container supported thereon to and from sealing engagement with the bell, a chuck within said chamber comprising means for gripping a cap seated on the container, a chuck spindle having a universal joint connection with the chuck, means for lifting and lowering the chuck spindle, means providing a vacuum line extending to said chamber, a valve in said line, and means connecting the valve to the spindle for up and down movement therewith to positions for opening and closing the vacuum line.

3. A vacuumizing and sealing machine comprising a downwardly o-pening bell providing a vacuum chamber, a pedestal beneath said bell, means for lifting and lowering the pedestal and thereby lifting and lowering a container supported thereon to and from sealing engagement with the bell, a chuck within said chamber, cornprising means for gripping a cap supported on the container a chuck spindle having a universal joint connection with the chuck, means providing a vacuum line extending to said chamber, a valve in said vacuum line, a detector rod slidably mounted in said chuck and protruding into position to be operated by a cap on the said container as the chuck approaches the cap, and a valve in said vacuum line connected to said detector rod.

4. A vacuum sealing machine comprising in combination, a vacuum bell, a support to which the bell is attached, a chuck within said bell comprising means for gripping a closure cap for a container, a chuck spindle connected to the chuck and mounted for reciprocating movement relative to said bell, a valve body -connected to said spindle, a valve in said body, a valve stem connected to the valve, said spindle and chuck having an opening extending lengthwise of the spindle and through the chuck, said valve and stern being mounted for reciprocating movement lengthwise oi said spindle with the said valve stem extending through said opening and protruding beyond said chuck, and a suction line extending through said valve body to said bell and controlled by said valve.

5. A vacuum sealing machine comprising in combination, a vacuum bell, a support to which the bell is attached, a chuck within said bell comprising means for gripping a closure cap for a container, a chuck spindle connected to the chuck and mounted for reciprocating movement relative to said bell, a valve body connected to said spindle, a valve in said body, a valve stein connected to the valve, means for moving a container with a cap thereon into operative relation to said bell, said valve stem projecting into the 8 path of Vsaid cap as the container is brought to said position, means providing a suction line extending to said bell, said valve being arranged to control said suction line, and means for reciprocating said spindle.

6. A vacuum sealing machine comprising a carriage rotatable about a vertical axis, a downwardly opening vacuum bell mounted on the carriage, a chuck mounted within said bell comprising means for gripping a closure cap for a container, a chuck spindle connected to the chuck and extending upwardly therefrom and mounted for up-and-down movement on the carriage, a valve body mounted on the spindle, a valve in said body, a vertical valve stem connected to the valve, said spindle having a central bore through which the valve stem extends downwardly with the stem protruding below the chuck, the valve and stem being movable up and down relative to the said spindle, a spring holding the valve lowered, means for moving the spindle and chuck up and down, and a suction line extending through said valve body and to said bell and controlled by said valve.

7. A vacuum sealing machine comprising a carriage rotatable about a vertical axis, a downwardly opening vacuum bell mounted on the carriage, a chuck mounted within said bell comprising means for gripping a closure cap for a container, a chuck spindle connected to the chuck and extending upwardly therefrom and mounted for up-and-down movement on the carriage, a valve body mounted on the spindle, a valve in said body, a vertical valve stern connected to the valve, said spindle having a central bore through which the valve stem extends downwardly with the stem protruding below the chuck, the valve and stem being movable up and down relative to the said spindle, a spring holding the valve lowered, spring means for holding the chuck and spindle in their lifted position, cam means operated by the rotation of the carriage for lowering the chuck and spindle, and a suction line extending through said valve body to the vacuum bell and controlled by said bell.

8. A vacuum sealing machine comprising a carriage mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, a chuck comprising means for gripping a closure cap, said chuck being -connected to the carriage for rotation therewith, a chuck spindle connected to the chuck, a stationary cam, means on the carriage operated by said cam for moving the spindle and chuck in one direction, spring means for moving the spindle and chuck in the opposite direction, and spring means holding the said cam in operative position and permitting it to move to an inoperative position when an abnormal resistance to the movement of the spindle and chuck by the cam operating means is encountered.

9. A machine for vacuumizing said sealing containers comprising a downwardly opening vacuum chamber, a support therebeneath for a container, means for moving said support and a container thereon upwardly relative to the vacuum chamber and sealing the container to said chamber, a chuck positioned over the said support, said chuck comprising cap gripping means, means for causing a downward movement of the chuck during said upward movement of the said support and thereby bringing the chuck into position to grip a cap supported loosely on the container, means for then moving the chuck upwardly relative to the support and the container thereon during said Aupward movement of the support and contain-e1?` 4and tiaiinoiapid rate than the supportismoving upward, and thereby-.Withdraw- "ithe chuckband capxdcwnucirdrwhile saidtsupport I i'siheld in'i-tsup, positionifwithftheicontain sealed 1 ,tol said chamber andethereby.ts'ealing! 'rr-tainer byrltheidownwarmmoytement o hechuckilo "i-relativefrto the. support and containerh athc Achuck "forces the .cap into sealing engagement 7thee .con-

byniviiich with the vacuumized container, and interconnected mechanism between the said means for moving the chuck and the means for moving the 1 5 said support for causing said movements in the order above set forth.

10. The machine as set forth in claim 9 including means for opening the vacuum chamber to atmospheric pressure while the container is sealed thereto, and means for giving an added downward movement to the chuck after said sealing of the cap to the container and said opening of the vacuum chamber, whereby the chuck operates positively to disengage the conn tainer from the vacuum chamber.

11. A vacuum sealing machine comprising a vacuum chamber, a support for an open-mouthed container positioned below the vacuum chamber and mounted for up and down movement rela- 30 tive to said chamber for moving the container into and out of sealing contact with the vacuum chamber, a vacuum line extending to said chamber through which air is exhausted from the chamber for vacuumizing the container, a chuck mounted for up and down movements within the vacuum chamber and comprising means for gripping a cap loosely seated on the container when the chuck is lowered and for lifting the cap from the container when the chuck moves upward, means for eiecting said up and down movements of the chuck, a detector comprising a rod mounted for up and down movement with the chuck, spring means providing a connection between the rod and chuck and yieldingly holding the rod in a position in which it protrudes downwardly below the chuck, said rod being movable upward- 1y relatively to the chuck by a closure cap on the container when the chuck is lowered and said rod contacts with the said cap, and a valve in said vacuum line connected to said rod and movable by the rod into position to open the vacuum line when the rod is moved upwardly relatively to the chuck, the valve being held by the said rod in closed position while the rod is in said protruded position.

l2. A vacuum sealing machine comprising a downwardly open vacuum bell, a pedestal therebeneath forming a support for an open-mouthed container, means for moving the pedestal upward and thereby bringing the container into sealing engagement with said bell, a magnetic chuck mounted for up and down movement within said bell, means for lowering the chuck and causing it to grip a closure cap seated loosely on the container, means for then lifting the chuck and causing it to lift said cap away from the container, suction means for exhausting air from the said bell and container including a suction line extending to the bell, a detector comprising a rod mounted for up and down movement with the chuck and for up and down movement relative to the chuck between a protruded position in which the rod projects downwardly below the chuck and a retracted position, 7

valvevinff-sald -isuc'tionl 'linefrandaconnectedi'to fisaid detector rod for-movementtoa closed position whenv said frod is movedto' its :saidzprotruded position and movablei-towopenf'the suction line :when .the detectorrodisvretracted, 4andzvspring means .connecting f fs'aidf rod 'i to the chuck and yieldingly holding said rod'in'its downward posi- 1 :tion and permittingtlthe .rodi .to `be'.v retracted-'by :..the .said capgon fthe @container asithe Alatter is movedfinto sealing-engagementawith fthe bell.

13. A vacuumssealing;maichinerpcomprising' a vacuum bell, arsupport in which the bell is mounted;` aichuckewithin said bell, said chuck compri'singnneans origiiipping a closure cap for a container, a chuck spindle carrying the chuck and mounted for reciprocating movement within said support, means providing a suction line extending to said bell, a valve body through which the suction line extends, said valve body being connected to said spindle for reciproca/tion therewith, a valve in said body controlling said suction line, means for yieldingly connecting the valve to the spindle for reciprocating movement therewith, means for supporting a container and moving it into operative position relative to said vacuum bell, and a valve operating device connected to the valve for movement therewith and extending into position to be engaged and operated by a cap on the container during said movement oi the container.

14. A Vacuum sealing machine comprising a vacuum bell, a support in which the bell is mounted, a chuck within said bell, said chuck comprising means for gripping a closure cap for a container, a chuck spindle carrying the chuck and mounted for reciprocating movement within said support, means providing a suction line extending to said bell, a valve body through which the suction line extends, said valve body being connected to said spindle for reciprocation therewith, a valve in said body controlling said suction line, means for supporting a container and moving it into operative position relative to said vacuum bell, and a valve stem connected to and carrying said valve and mounted for reciprocation lengthwise of said chuck spindle, said valve stem extending into position to be engaged and operated by a cap on the container during said movement of the container.

15. A machine for vacuumizing and sealing containers, comprising a carriage mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, a downwardly opening vacuum chamber on the carriage, a support for a container, said support mounted for upand-down movement on the carriage and positioned beneath the vacuum chamber, a stationary cam track, means providing operating connections between the cam track and said support for causing lifting of the support as the carriage rotates and thereby lifting a container thereon into sealing engagement with the vacuum chamber, a chuck mounted for 11p-anddown movement on the carriage over the saidsupport, said chuck comprising cap gripping means, means cooperating with the carriage for causing downward movement of the chuck during said upward movement of the said support, and thereby bringing the chuck into position to grip a cap supported loosely on the container, means for then moving the chuck upwardly relative to the support and the container thereon during said upward movement of the support and container and at a more rapid rate than that at which the support is being moved upward and thereby withdrawing the cap from the container,

1 1 means for exhausting air from the vacuum chamber and container while the cap is held spaced above the container by the chuck, means for then moving the chuck and cap downward while the said support is held by said cam track 5 in its lifted position in which the container is sealed to said :chamber and thereby sealing the cap to the container by the downward movement of the chuck relative to the support and container, and means for thereafter opening the 10 vacuum chamber to atmosphere.

JOHN HOI-IL. HERBERT A BARN'BY. JACK M. WHEATON.

12 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this fpatent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

